SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong FC battled to come from two goals behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Air India in the U-20 I-League in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
Air India were leading 2-0 thanks to Yungrei, who scored both goals.
However, Lajong scored once in each half with Bipin and Lalrammuana on the scoresheet.
Both teams marched out to the field hoping to make a positive start and get a win under arguably very bad pitch conditions.
Air India took an early lead when Yungrei’s long range shot beat Lajong custodian Nitin in the sixth minute.
Lajong pushed for the leveler but were unlucky to concede the second goal that came from a cross by an Air India winger who found his team mate Yungrei, scoring his second goal within 15 minutes of the game.
After some good build-up play by the Reds, the contest sparked to life when the Shillong lads won a free kick just five minutes before the end of the first half and Jacob’s free kick landed on Bipin, who made sure he took a shot and earned himself, and his team, a goal.
Whatever was said in both dressing rooms during the break certainly seemed to work as the second half started on a more lively note with both sides fashioning opportunities in quick succession.
This was evident when Lajong came back by pressing into their opponents’ half.
The lads won a corner and were rewarded for their efforts when Lalrammuana managed to place the ball into the goal, giving them a crucial equaliser in the 67th minute.
With the points split, Shillong Lajong are in second place with three points and will take on Mohun Bagan on March 14.
Air India are in fifth position with two points will play their last match against Sesa Football Academy on March 12.
